Iranian Renowned Film Director Jafar Panahi Reincarcerated

'There Is No Evil' Mohammad Rasoulof Also Arrested

Jafar Panahi, a representative film director of Iran, has been re-imprisoned. Masoud Setayeshi, spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary, announced on the 19th (local time) that Panahi was recently re-incarcerated at Tehran's Evin Prison. Regarding the reason for his re-detention, he only explained that Panahi must complete the sentence handed down in 2010. Panahi was arrested for supporting anti-government protests in 2010 and sentenced to six years in prison. However, he was conditionally released after two months of imprisonment and continued his work under a travel ban.

Panahi is a master who inherited the aesthetics of Abbas Kiarostami (1940?2016). He received the Best New Director award at the Cannes Film Festival for "The White Balloon" (1995), which realistically depicted a fairy-tale-like story. He shifted his themes to social criticism, responding to international attention. In particular, he actively revealed the realities of Iranian women in "The Circle" (2000), winning the Golden Lion, the highest award at the Venice Film Festival. Under the travel ban, he also received the Golden Bear, the top honor at the Berlin Film Festival, for "Taxi" (2015), which pointed out the contradictions in Iranian society.

The international film community strongly criticized the Iranian authorities following the news of the re-imprisonment of the world-renowned director. The Cannes Film Festival organizing committee issued a statement saying, "We strongly condemn the Iranian judiciary." The Venice Film Festival also called for his release, describing the situation as "disappointing and lamentable."

Recently, Iranian authorities also arrested another film director, Mohammad Rasoulof. He is suspected of inciting social unrest related to the Abadan building collapse accident, which buried about eighty people. Rasoulof was the recipient of the Golden Bear at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival for "There Is No Evil." Due to political reasons, he was banned from traveling and could not attend the award ceremony.